Police rescue Reverend Father, smash kidnap gang

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued a Reverend Father, Felix Akpan, of St. Michael Parish, Ikot Etim Village in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state, from the hands of kidnappers.

Akpan, who also teaches at Topfaith International School, Mkpatak, Essien Udim LGA, was kidnapped on Tuesday when he was returning from school.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Don Awunah, said on Wednesday that the suspects had been behind the high profile kidnap cases in the state.

He added that the suspects were also those who abducted a lecturer with the Akwa Ibom State University.

Awunah said one AK 47 rifle, five rounds of 9mm ammunition; one locally-made pistol with rounds of ammunition; one Nissan Primera with Registration No. GAGE 861 DO, and N180,000, were recovered from the hoodlums.

“A notorious kidnap gang was smashed by operatives leading to the rescue of a Reverend Father of St. Michael Parish, Ikot Etim Village in Ukanafun Local Government Area on February 18, 2017.

“Upon interrogation, the gang members confessed to have been behind many high profile kidnap cases in the state, which include, the kidnap of a lecturer in the state university and a political stalwart,” he said.

Also, he added that a car snatcher, David Akpan, was arrested on February 16, 2017, after stealing a car from where he was hired as a driver.

According to him, the suspect would seek employment as a driver or house-help and after studying the environment, made away with their vehicles, which he sold in Akwa Ibom.

The CP said Kia Soul car with registration number UW 677 KJA, had been recovered from the suspect.

In a related development, one Kelechi Ugwuchi (male) was nabbed by the police for stealing batteries from solar power street light.

The CP said, Ugwuchi upon interrogation, confessed to being a receiver and a dealer on high second-hand batteries.

He said, “Search of his shop and his business premises; equipment used for installation of solar energy street light were recovered.”

He said that 21 cult groups had been identified in the state, noting that six members of the different cult groups were arrested at the time they were planning attack on members of the public.

The CP added that a careful analysis of the state crime profile revealed that cultism, kidnap for ransom, murder and stealing were the most prevalent crimes committed in the state.

One of the suspects, Nkereuwem Victor, said he was in his house when someone brought him the stolen vehicle.

He maintained that the vehicle was the only one he had received.

“I was in my house when I received the vehicle. It is the first vehicle I have received so far,” he said.

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